Tomorrow’s toothbrush

You can imagine the meeting in the Oral-B headquarters:

“We need a buzzword. What’s hot these days?” asks the CEO.

“Artificial intelligence,” says a voice from the back.

“We’re selling toothbrushes,” says one of the senior marketing people.

“Exactly,” nods the CEO.

“Oral-B launches Genius X, artificial intelligence toothbrush“.

Remind your patients

Open enrollment for Obamacare exchanges is here. Remember, since 2017 it only lasts 45 days, so there’s no time to waste.

Warn your patients

If they take the blood thinner apixaban*, ask what OTC meds they take. Many of them can have dangerous side effects.

33% of [patients] took at least one nonprescription drug daily or most days of the week with the potential to cause dangerous side effects when combined with apixaban.

* or other NOACs like dabigatran, edoxaban, or rivaroxaban

Stat of the day

81 percent of physicians say they don’t want to accept patients who are taking opioids.

If they build it…

…they’re more likely to take opioids or cocaine. “Construction workers are more likely to use drugs than workers in other professions,” per a study out of NYU.

More access, less diabetes

What’s a big way to help people manage their diabetes? Per a new study, the answer is “expanding Medicaid.”

The researchers found that compared with non-Medicaid expansion states, there were significant improvements in Medicaid expansion states for self-reported access to health care, diabetes management , and health status. Among states with large populations with diabetes, substantial improvements were reported in states that expanded Medicaid versus those that did not expand.

Were you worried Cigna’s profits?

Don’t be; the insurance company is doing just fine, thanks to lots of revenue from its new PBM.

The Bloomfield, Connecticut-based company reported revenues of $38.6 billion for the quarter, up from $11.5 billion in the same quarter of 2018. In the second quarter, Cigna also attributed major jumps in revenue to the merger with Express Scripts, which closed late last year.

The long read: The price of not worrying

“Moved Overseas For School, Stayed For Insulin” — the story of Katie West, an American with diabetes who went to Germany for school, then stayed because she could afford insulin there.

The peace of mind alone makes it worth it. “A third of my income may go to taxes and health care here, but honestly, that’s fine. Take it. Take it!” she said. “I don’t have to worry.”